For a long time, the enemy has tried to convince me that I was the only person who was going through certain things; that I was the only one who had ever felt numb in my relationship with Jesus, the only one who had felt so fed up with “religion” and “church,” the only one who tended to think things to death, the only one who ever got overwhelmed by the evil in the world today
It’s amazing how many of us Christians can be going through the exact same things, often at the same time, and yet still feel isolated like we are the only ones who are going through something. We put on a happy face, even though we don’t feel it, we act strong on the outside, even though we are crumbling under the pressure inside. We are afraid to admit weakness, for fear of being judged by other Christians who are “stronger than us.
As I was thinking about this, I realized how much of a blatant lie of the enemy this is. He gives us a pride to keep us from talking to other believers, a fear of being looked down upon because our faith ‘isn’t strong enough’, thus separating us from the Body, and thus ultimately from Him, isolating us. When we feel like we are walking alone through our problems, then the enemy has a much better chance of taking us down.
Our enemy is not stupid, he knows that when we stand firm together, our faith is united, and we can help each other stand through whatever is happening in our lives. He knows that when we are united, we have the ability to speak God’s truth into each other’s lives. I know that my friend Angie has done this for me more than once. And, like it says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-13, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” I also realized how much this also parallels 1 Peter 5:8-9, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Just like a lion, the enemy doesn’t try to attack us when we’re all standing firm together, because he knows that he will not succeed. Rather, just like a lion out on the plains in Africa, he tries to weed us out, to pull us away from the “herd” of fellow believers through his lies and deceit. And once we are apart from each other, he can “devour” us with depression, worry, fear, anxiety, etc. I think that’s a very big reason why being involved in a small group and having Christian friends is so important. You can get to know each other so well that you are able to let your natural guard down, and be honest with each other, about what’s going on in your lives, your concerns, as well as your joys and praises! It is the true meaning of being in the family of God.
My small group has been a huge answer to prayer, and I’m so very thankful that God has blessed me with such an awesome one!! :o)